Contact: Gordon Helm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/30/97
The National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking comment on its draft strategic plan for fisheries research over the next five years. Marine research during this period will be critical to fisheries managers as they begin to rebuild depleted marine fisheries and continue to protect and enhance essential fish habitat, the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said today.
A rational, scientific approach to living marine resource management allows the sustainable use of living marine resources for all users who often compete for these finite resources, such as recreational fishing, commercial fishing, aquaculture, photography, and others who enjoy the marine environment.
"We're seeking the advice of the public on our scientific research plan for the next five years to make sure everyone has the opportunity to provide input on all of its elements," said Terry Garcia, acting assistant secretary of Commerce for oceans and atmosphere and deputy administrator of NOAA. "Each region of the country has its own concerns, and we need to provide accurate and comprehensive science to better understand the fisheries - and ultimately make the right management decisions."
One regional concern is the toxic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria. The Southeast Fisheries Center is currently conducting research in this area under the heading of threats to fishery species and essential fish habitat. Its goal is to predict the conditions likely to result in toxic events and advise management on strategies to minimize impacts on living marine resources. Currently scientists are attempting to characterize the organism, document the prevalence of the problem, and determine the impact on the food web.
The ultimate objective for conducting the research activities proposed in this plan is to provide the basis for resource managers to make scientifically sound decisions which will help them to become better stewards of the natural resources with which they have been entrusted. High quality research will enable resource managers to maximize benefits to the Nation without jeopardizing the continued existence of species and their habitat.
The National Marine Fisheries Service recently reported to Congress that 96 marine fish species reviewed are "overfished" or approaching an overfished condition, while another 183 species have not been overfished. Sound science will be the cornerstone of the decisions that will be made by the eight regional fisheries councils as they draft rebuilding plans.
The draft research plan identifies what the fisheries service currently does and how the agency expects to enhance its future research efforts. The scope includes fisheries, habitat, protected species, aquaculture, and utilization research to address requirements of the new Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act amendments approved by Congress in its last session.
The plan identifies major fisheries research goals and objectives relative to the Magnuson-Stevens act and links them to the goals and objectives found in the NOAA Fisheries Strategic Plan blished in May 1997. It does not include marine mammal or turtle research or the regulatory and enforcement components of the fisheries service's mission. The plan relies primarily on current budget priorities and strives to maximize benefits.
The National Marine Fisheries Service will accept comments on the draft document through November 6, 1997. The comments should be addressed to Mark Chandler, Research, Analysis, and Coordination Division; Office of Science and Technology; THE FISHERIES SERVICE; 1315 East-West Highway; Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225. A copy of the draft plan may be obtained by contacting the same office by fax at (301) 713-1875, or via website (http://kingfish.ssp.nmfs.gov/sfa/).